Set to sledge in quest for that extra edge

Steve Larkin

AUSTRALIA'S cricketers are pledging to keep sledging South Africa in a bid to steal their mantle as the world's best Test side, a practice the tourists' continue to dismiss as pointless.

''They thought [it would give them an edge] in 2008 as well, and it didn't really happen that way,'' South African wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers said on Sunday. ''So hopefully we can prove them wrong again.''

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Hussey admitted he was uncertain whether sledging had an impact on the Proteas. ''A lot of players in the past have used it as a mental battle against batsmen and it has probably worked in the past as well,'' he said. ''But whether it works on these individual South Africans batsmen, I don't know.

''They have shown that they have been a great team for quite a period of time now - they don't get to No. 1 in the world without enduring these sorts of things before.

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''But as I said, once you get over that white line and the competitive spirit between bat and ball starts, there is always going to be things that are said.

''But as long as it doesn't go too far and players cross the line, then I think it's fine, it's no worries.''

De Villiers said the South Africans accepted they would be sledged by the Australians, and would return verbal fire. ''There is always a bit of chat around,'' de Villiers said.

''It's obviously two very good teams that want to win the game so you do whatever you can to get a few wickets.

''It's a matter of playing the big moments better than the opposing side and whatever you can do to get an edge over the opposing team, you will go through with.''

Hussey said quantity, not quality, would decide Australia's quest to prise the No.1 ranking from the tourists. ''We are close, definitely. I believe we can beat them.

''But we are going to have to play good, hard, disciplined Test match cricket for long, long periods of time. That is one thing they have been able to do in the past few years … and that is why they are the No. 1 Test team.

''That is what we're aspiring to do and I don't think we're far away.''

Hussey also dismissed suggestions Australia stole momentum from South Africa by finishing stronger at the Gabba.

He drew a warning from the Ashes series against England two years ago, when a drawn first Test in Brisbane was followed by an Australian loss in the second match in Adelaide, when the Australians lost three wickets in the first half-hour. ''I think what has happened in Brisbane has gone and it doesn't really matter,'' said Hussey.

''What matters is that first half an hour of this Test match. ''We have got to start better than we did a couple of years ago against England.''